The Hero's Promise

Outside the small wooden cabin at Pelion Cave, Feeling the gentle breeze brushing against his face, Thaumas wore a look of deep distress, plucking his lyre in a distracted manner.

This was an instrument crafted by Hermes, the son of Zeus and the "Messenger of the Gods."

It was also the earliest plucked string instrument in the West, which Hermes later gifted to Apollo, the God of Light, as an act of atonement.

Apollo, in turn, bestowed it upon his own son, Orpheus.

It is worth mentioning that Orpheus was a disciple of Chiron and a senior fellow apprentice to Thaumas.

One must admit that Chiron was nearly a polymath; he was proficient in everything from astronomy and geography to music and painting, not to mention his superb martial arts.

The instrument in Thaumas's hands was one Chiron had fashioned in imitation of that divine lyre.

Unfortunately, while Chiron was a great teacher, Thaumas was not exactly a great student.

Thaumas was mediocre in many respects; even his "pankration" (ancient Greek wrestling) was barely passable—perhaps on par with the effectiveness of a morning exercise routine?

Of course, this was in comparison to his dazzling senior apprentices, such as the future Hercules.

This was the Age of Gods, after all! Even a little girl could easily flip over a modern human.

Not to mention that his fellow apprentices were either demigods or children of deities; usually, he could only compare himself to Jason.

Thinking of this made him feel even worse—to have actually fallen to the same level as a small fry like Jason.

"Hey, hey, hey, why does this great one feel like you're thinking about something very rude?"

Hearing this, Thaumas looked over.

Ah, it was indeed this small-fry blondie.

"Nothing. Sigh, how could you possibly understand the troubles of this hero?"

Having said that, the music from Thaumas's lyre grew a shade more sorrowful.

"You jerk! How dare you call yourself a hero in front of this great one? I am the one who will be the most shining hero in the entire world!"

Jason retorted with a look of annoyance.

But in an instant, the corners of Jason's mouth curled up, he puffed out his chest with pride, crossed his arms, and said provocatively:

"Master Chiron has already allowed me to descend the mountain. He said that this great one is about to embark on the path of a hero,"

"While you can only stay on the mountain, listening to bards sing of this great one's legends!"

Jason stood there tall, his nostrils pointed toward the sun.

The music stopped abruptly.

Thaumas lowered his head in silence. Where exactly was he inferior to this blondie?

But upon thinking of his legend, he felt relieved.

Jason, In ancient Greek mythology, there are two most glorious heroic epics: one is the Trojan War, and the other is Jason's Golden Fleece incident.

That Shining Ship That Tears the Sky, the Argo. Almost all the great heroes of ancient Greece boarded this miracle ship, built with wood that would never be swallowed by the sea, with the help of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.

Together, they traveled to Colchis, the homeland of Medea, the "Betraying Witch," to retrieve the rare treasure of all ancient Greece—the Golden Fleece, which represented wealth, power, and honor.

This was a glorious journey of fifty men, and it was also Jason's most renowned heroic legend, which eventually manifested as his Noble Phantasm, [Shining Ship That Tears the Sky].

Yet, he was truly infuriating, even though their relationship was quite good.

No, it should be said that Thaumas had a good relationship with all of Chiron's students who had studied at Pelion Cave, provided he had met them.

After all, sometimes shamelessly fawning over famous people was an effective way to increase one's legend.

Becoming famous, after all, is nothing to be ashamed of.

Coupled with the fact that the linguistic arts of ancient Greece were somewhat behind the times, and his past experience in pyramid schemes, he could already be called a "Grand Orator"—limited to this era, of course.

"Alright, this great one is here to bid you farewell. This time, I am truly leaving."

Jason spoke with rare seriousness, and it actually sounded quite convincing.

For some reason, perhaps due to the mutual appreciation between heroes, their relationship was unexpectedly good.

Therefore, he decided to gamble once more—betting on Jason's intelligence.

What? Why "once more"?

Naturally, because he had tried this with every single senior apprentice who had descended the mountain.

"Senior Apprentice Jason, since you are leaving the mountain, could you grant your junior apprentice a small fa..." Before the grinning Thaumas could finish, he was interrupted.

"Don't even think about it!"

"Anything but that, absolutely not!" Without the slightest mercy, Jason said coldly.

"I don't want to be punished by standing in the corner!"

"Not to mention that Master Chiron is terrifying when he gets angry; this lord has no desire to test that."

Just as Thaumas was about to retort, Jason poured another bucket of cold water on him.

"Don't think this lord doesn't know what you're thinking! You just want this lord to take the fall for you!"

Damn it! How did a mere Jason suddenly become so clever? He actually exposed me!

I had originally intended to pin the blame for sneaking down the mountain on him, but I never expected him to be so resistant. Does even Jason possess a skill like "Key Decision-Making"?

"Jason, we are brothers, close friends, and kin. Shouldn't you help a brother realize his ideals?"

Having said this, Thaumas stopped speaking and stared at him intently.

"This lord's wisdom has long since allowed me to see through your true colors. Don't bother saying things like that anymore; after all, you say that to everyone, don't you?"

"Heracles and the others told me long ago."

Hateful, I forgot about that.

To be honest, Thaumas truly wanted to go down the mountain with Jason. If nothing else, as long as he could board that glorious ship, his fame should be sufficient.

As long as he possessed a certain level of fame (Rank D), he would truly no longer fear "death," as he would be able to ascend to the Throne of Heroes.

He had considered playing it safe, but how could one gain fame by hiding? He still had to rely on his own efforts.

There was no other way; he had to sweeten the deal.

"Jason, no, I should say, Prince of Thessaly, son of Aeson, grandson of Cretheus, 'Diomedes'!"

"As long as you agree, I can help you reclaim the throne usurped by your uncle, Pelias!"

Finally, Thaumas unleashed his ultimate move.

At these words, Jason's expression became visibly agitated, and he asked in disbelief, "How did you know? Was it Master Chiron?!"

Ever since Jason fled the pursuit and was taken in by Master Chiron, who bestowed the name Jason upon him, he had never told anyone about his past.

"That's not important! What's important is that I can help you. You want to be king again, don't you!"

Without waiting for Jason to respond, Thaumas spoke again, this time with piety:

"I promise you, as long as I have breath in my body, I will help you reclaim your throne!"

"I swear it by the great gods of Olympus!"

This is Type-Moon, this is the Age of Gods, this is Ancient Greece.

It is an era where gods, humans, and Phantasmal Species coexist!

Precisely because of this, if one swears by the gods, the deities will hear and bear witness; those who violate their oaths will receive the punishment they deserve.

Jason was moved; this time, he was truly tempted.

"You, Jason, are a future great hero! Is a future great hero really this timid?!"

"Jason, you are my hero, and you are the hero of the world. So, let us go together to the Kingdom of Iolcus in Thessaly! Let us reclaim the throne and glory that should have been yours!"

Thaumas struck while the iron was hot, continuing his cajoling.

"Fine, fine, fine. It's a deal then, and you are absolutely not allowed to go back on your word! Otherwise, this lord will make you regret it!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, their agreement sealed.

And so, following their truancy, the two skipped school as well.

Under the setting sun, the twilight rays stretched their shadows long and thin.

Yet, just as the two were sneaking away, the centaur sage Chiron was watching them from the mountaintop. He had known all along.

"Go, children! Go and find the meaning of becoming a hero! I shall bestow my blessings upon you."

And thus, the epic of heroes began.